3 Places to Try in Seattle This Weekend

Welcome back to Eater Seattle's Something for the Weekend column. Every Friday, you probably ask the same question: Where should I eat and drink this weekend? Covering brunch, dinner, and everything in between, here, now, three places to try.

November 18, 2016

GNOCCHI BAR

Lisa Nakamura will close her Capitol Hill restaurant Gnocchi Bar forever on Sunday at 8 p.m., so this weekend is your last chance to dive into piles of pillowy potato goodness. While you'll still be able to get Nakamura's gnocchi in grocery stores for at-home cooking, it simply won't be the same as dining at this wonderful community restaurant, where the chef and staff treat customers like family.

HOTEL ALBATROSS

It's tough to encapsulate the vibe at Ballard's Hotel Albatross, which features Tiki drinks served in bizarre vessels, "puffy tacos," pinch buns, and various other incongruent but delicious things. Ultimately, the outstanding cocktails and spaciousness make for a great way to kill a rainy evening with friends. And though the tacos have been the most attention-getting menu item, the pinch buns are the far-superior pick.

WHERE YA AT MATT

The best take on New Orleans food comes from a food truck called Where Ya At Matt. Po' boys, gumbo, jambalaya, beignets, and more, all with the nuances and depth of flavor that have made Louisiana's cuisine world famous. Impressively, everything is made from scratch, right down to the mayonnaise. Track the truck's latest comings and goings on its official site.

November 11, 2016

ROCKCREEK

RockCreek continues to impress with its emphasis on fresh seafood and unfussy but always outstanding plates. It's a lovely, light-filled place to sit and unwind at happy hour, a special place to have dinner, and a great way to kick off the weekend at brunch. A lot of buzz is being directed at brand new sibling restaurant Flintcreek Cattle Co., but don't forget about RockCreek.

TIGERLY OX

Grab-and-go restaurant Tigerly Ox specializes in customizable banh mi sandwiches, rice bowls, salads, and vermicelli bowls. With a recently-opened location in the Central District and one in Wallingford, you have two locations to pick from. The inexpensive, yet deeply flavorful and filling, meal options are a great pick if you're too busy to cook or want to scarf down some food while you watch the game.

Hardware Store Cafe

There are plenty of great places to eat on Vashon Island, many of them recent additions. But tried-and-true Hardware Store Cafe serves classic American diner fare, perfectly executed, inside what's become, over the years, Vashon's living room. Dive into massive plates at brunch, lunch, or dinner, all great options as you fuel up for a day of exploring on the island.

November 4, 2016

MILSTEAD & CO

Catch top-notch cafe Milstead & Co. in a temporary space at 900 N 34th St, while the building that housed the original location, just steps away, is being redeveloped. The company will head back there eventually, but for now, it's on the other side of Troll Avenue, and still serving plenty of great coffee. Food & Wine called it "snobby," but don't let that fool you. The service is friendly and helpful, and the coffee is always outstanding.

FEED CO. BURGERS

Barely a week old, the Central District's new Feed Co. Burgers is just the sort of family-friendly burger joint the neighborhood needs. The entire menu is pretty enticing, with burger, sandwich, shake, and sauce options that make for a tough decision at the counter. Finishing touches are still underway on the four-season patio, but the rest is ready.

KICKIN' BOOT WHISKEY KITCHEN

It always feels like a party at Kickin' Boot Whiskey Kitchen in Ballard. Though the menu centers largely around barbecue, there are plenty of other stand-outs: the skillet cornbread with a deadly delicious bourbon molasses butter, house sausage corn dogs with creole mustard, and the roadside burger with remoulade and caramelized onions. Oh, and the whiskey! Naturally, there's a ton of it, in cocktails and neat.